Snake Oil/Exciting Inspiration or a Hard Push?
While we do set up certain plans for a lifetime before birth, to a large extent life is about making choices. It is a major component of exploration connected to being alive in a body in the physical world. Fortunately even questionable or limited choices will inevitably help us to grow. This is because we can both learn from those choices and potentially redirect ourselves back to more positive options. Yet, there are times when we may also get caught up in extreme fear, stubborn patterns, and extremely poor choices that are likely to pull us off our greater life plan and move us further away from our life purpose. Because of this, there are times when our Higher Self, Essence, God force, Angels, Spirit Guides, or whatever you choose to call this wiser part of ourselves, will inspire us with a new direction. Typically there are five stages to how this process operates:
Stage one is either excitement and enthusiasm about new possibilities, or we may just begin to not feel joy anymore in connection to something we have been doing for some time. These gentle nudges can manifest as seeing someone doing something really cool or just looking happily fulfilled and we think “Wow, I would love to do or feel something like that!” We might even get inspiration from others suggesting “You know, you would be really good at that.” A nudge from our Higher Self could also be in the form of remembering a skill or talent that we were naturally good at in our younger years, or enjoyed and just never continued to pursue. Inspirational ideas may come from dreams, music, nature, movies, meditations, and many other wonderful avenues. Another possibility is we may just find ourselves notably unfulfilled in a career, relationship, location, friendship grouping, and other ways we have been spending our time. These types of feelings can act as catalysts to search out new, more positive paths.
If we ignore these types of prompts the next stage (2) after repeated attempts to motivate us from our Higher Self, will manifest as inconvenience. We may have a more than normal amount of appliance breakdowns, plumbing issues, car problems, mild body discomfort, feel depressed, parking tickets, unavailable friends, and all kinds of other reasonably gentle yet irritating pushes. Whether from a fear of change, misplaced loyalty, or just a tendency to cling to the comfort of what we know, we may still stay on a course that is no longer beneficial for us. After a while if we continue to stay stuck we will inevitably move to stage three. Stage three and four may be interchangeable and stage four may actually come first.
At stage three we begin to experience hard pushes. This can play out as car accidents, hurtful loss of friendships, or getting fired from a job. We may find ourselves in the path of brutal damaging weather, a cheating spouse, getting robbed or even minor but still uncomfortable ailments. Illnesses like colds, kidney stones, broken bones, or painful sprains are reminders that we need to reevaluate where energy is blocked up and to consider taking better care of ourselves. These and similar types of problems are now forcing us to look at the areas of our lives that are often connected with repressed emotion from childhood, chronic fear, suppressed anger, outdated beliefs, or outright denial of what is happening. Some people will still ignore these signals and feel victimized and relentlessly complain but do nothing, or search for things to bury or hide from the problems even further with drugs, alcohol, antidepressants, overeating, affairs, etc... and still refuse to face these longstanding hurts, limiting beliefs, and self sabotaging choices and actions.
Stage four is often major illness. When all outlets for change have been repeatedly ignored, the body will take the issue on. Things like cancer, pneumonia, damage to organs, hip surgery, HIV, leukemia, stroke, emphysema, hepatitis, etc... These are often extremely difficult stages. Fortunately if one seeks help either through western medicine, surgery, or holistic methods, often with the assistance of knowledgeable healers, there can be a way out. While some therapies may be more effective than others, whatever the form or type of therapy, we may find ourselves finally consciously or unconsciously facing the limitations and blocks. The desire to be happy and healthy again is a powerful way to assist the healing process, and may lead to a new lease on life and a possible renewed sense of purpose, or even a brand new road. After overcoming ordeals at these levels of intensity there can be the added benefit of finally learning how to “not sweat the small stuff,” precisely because we have dealt with really hard stuff! Forgiveness of self and others is paramount.
Now, not every minor, or major difficulty or catastrophe we experience is connected to something blocked. One example is In the case of childhood illness, often these are chosen at a higher self level to overcome, or to provide another level of life experience for a number of different reasons. We may choose these limitations for karmic reasons before birth. This type of bravery often becomes a bright light of strength for others to potentially learn from. Our adventurous souls will choose a few lifetimes of extremely difficult conditions for any number of unique reasons. But limitations like this are frequently balanced by other unique and notable talents. We also sometimes forget that there are hazards on the physical plane, and we will inevitably encounter a few, or a lot of difficulties in each life. Perceiving difficulty as some form of punishment is ludicrous, nothing could be further from the truth. We will all inevitably evolve either during one lifetime or through a series of them. In some lifetimes we will get caught and struggle to escape the grips of fear and continually resist the lessons of the first four stages, then stage five will become the path to a new start.
Stage five is chosen when all growth and change opportunities have been ignored and the result is death. Our Higher Self will decide that the life and the vehicle (the body) can no longer go on with such extreme limitations and plan an exit from the physical. There is NO judgment from our Higher Self or punishment for this in any way. There is no actual or permanent end to our spirit. Death is the process of moving from the physical back to the Otherworld where we originated from. What has not been worked out will be resolved in the spirit world or in another incarnation in the physical. We will be given the opportunity to try again. This is not in any way suggesting that death itself is somehow negative. All of us will, at some point exit our bodies during our lifetimes. This can be done joyfully with a sense of accomplishment for a life well lived. There can be a feeling of “this has been fun, even a really good experience, but I am tired and it’s time to go back home.” There are no wrong ways to live a lifetime. Even a life that is consumed with fear and challenges that are never faced and ideally released will still inevitably lead to growth and evolution. As always, the choice is ours.
Jim Ventura 10-2024
Notes:
This is the first time in many years that I have posted a new column during the holiday newsletter that is not specifically about Thanksgiving or Christmas!
There have been some major, hard to miss astrological events over the last two months. One that was probably most notable and impactful is Pluto’s move into Aquarius. Pluto will stay in Aquarius for about nineteen years beginning on November 19th of 2024, and there are some big changes ahead for society and most of us personally. Pluto sits in a sign for between sixteen to nineteen years and it not only impacts society but it is the transformer of a house or two of life for each of us that gets more specific in our Natal chart. Pluto has finally moved out of Capricorn where it did not sit comfortably for the past sixteen years. Both the housing crisis, and banking challenges in 2008-2009, as well as Covid in 2020 were some of many very fear based elements in both society and for many personally that were connected to Pluto in Capricorn. I have talked about some of this on my social media plat-forms (you can find info on those at the end of this newsletter) in more detail. I have, of course, been diving into it in more personal detail with current regular clients and with semi regular or even a few new clients in the last two months. Contact me if you want a detailed look at how this has been influencing you and will likely impact you in the coming years.
2025 is on the horizon. Winter is a natural time for a bit more contemplation and retreat. The holidays can bring into focus our relationship to our families and this may be a combination of wonderful or very challenging. I still like to humorously quote George Burns with “Happiness is a close knit family two thousand miles away.”
Some of my Regular Clients in my program (monthly, every other month and quarterly options at notably discounted rates and the added benefit of having access to my many years of acquired knowledge and also the new stuff I am always learning!) have happily either for their own reasons finished the program, or are still currently maintaining consistency. A number of my regulars have gotten busy or lost their way in keeping up with regular check-ins. I consider this similar to excitedly joining a gym or exercise program and starting off strong then not going at all after a few months. Most gyms love this BTW! The demands of life can pull us off course. I have also talked to many people over the years who showed interest in the program and never actually joined. We make New Year resolutions all of the time. Consider making a resolution to consistently work on your spiritual growth. Whether working with me, another wise teacher, or by prioritizing self study, this is never something anyone ever regrets. Information about this program later in my newsletter.
There will be a slight price increase in January of 2025 for sessions. This will not impact clients currently in my Regular Client Program. The current discounted rates will stay the same.
Wishing everyone a happy holiday season! Cheers, Jim V
“December, being the last month of the year, cannot help but make us think of what is to come.” Fennel Hudson
November and December Gift certificates Special: $10-$75 off all sessions!
This offer is for New Clients and Returning Clients!
The holidays are approaching. Give a gift to someone you love that they will really appreciate: a reading/personal Navigational consultation with Jim Ventura. All sessions booked at this time AND all gift certificates purchased from November 16th, 2024 until December 31st, 2024 will be at a discounted rate for clients who are currently on my mailing list (receiving Snake Oil or following me on Face-Book, Instagram, or YouTube) and new first time clients can also take advantage of the special!
Special discounted rate:
$10.00 off my current listed prices for any 45, 70, or 90 minute sessions. You can also purchase up to 2 gift certificates (or decide to purchase a follow up session for yourself to use in the coming year after your initial gift session purchase) the second gift certificate or session will be $20 off my listed prices. If you purchase a third it will be $40 off that one! A maximum of three sessions or gift certificates may be purchased at this time at these rates. In-office cash or check payments can add an additional $5 off the total discounted price.
Price list for services are at the end of this newsletter and on my website. The gift certificates are good for one full year and can be used any time during the remainder of 2024 and all of 2025. If you want a printed gift certificate to give to a friend, I can either mail them to you or, if you prefer, mail them directly to the people who you want to receive them (snail mail or email). You may want to buy a gift certificate(s) either for friends, family or for yourself to be used anytime in 2025. Sessions can be in-office or by phone, Face-Time. or Zoom for out-of-area clients.
“If there is one thing I’ve learned over the eons, it’s that you can’t give up on your family, no matter how tempting they make it.” Rick Riordon
Snake Oil Radio
Thursdays at 3:30 pm (there will be two live broadcasts this period)
My next live broadcast of Snake Oil Radio will be Thursday, November 21st at 3:30 p.m. Mountain (Phoenix) time. This 45-minute show will expand on my current column’s subject matter. It will also offer an opportunity for you to chat with other listeners in the chat room with comments and your thoughts about the topic of discussion. If you miss the live show, you can catch any of my previously recorded shows on the website’s archive. You can also catch Snake Oil Radio on iTunes and similar locations for podcasts.
There will also be a special interview show on December 12th at 3:30 pm with:
Join me for a live interview with Maribeth Decker.
Maribeth is an intuitive animal communicator, medical intuitive, and energy healer, and is the founder of SacredGrove.com, where People and Pets Heal and Connect. She works with pet guardians who dearly love their animals yet face tough issues. She uses her intuitive animal communication and energetic healing skills to address animals’ physical, emotional, and behavioral issues.
Maribeth is especially gifted in helping pets and their people move gracefully through transitions - into the family, into a new family, or onto the next life.
Some of the topics we will discuss:
Introduction to Animal Communication
•What is animal communication?
•Basics of animal communication
Enjoying Your Animals' Senior Years
•Peace in Passing: Comfort for Loving Humans During Animal Transitions
•Strategies that help you navigate this time
Increasing the bond with your animals
To hear a live show, all you need to do is be at a computer and tuned into: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Jim-Ventura or on your phone. You may also access it by going to the site and typing “Snake Oil” into the search option. You can also go to the shows that are currently “On air” at that time and find me. The call in number is 646-200-3966 for questions and comments IF the show is offering that (please check, many of my column shows don’t).
“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, or won. It is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.” Denis Waitley
Channeled corner. I read many, many books from different trance channelers in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. Unfortunately many of them are now out of print, but I still have a huge collection and will share some of the best material I have collected over the years.
From Caterpillar to Butterfly
“Early one morning, two caterpillars met while drinking dew from a leaf. One caterpillar was green with orange speckles. The other caterpillar was white with several long horns.
The green caterpillar said, ‘How are you?’
The white caterpillar said, ‘As well as can be expected in this world.’
‘Yes, it is difficult sometimes,’ agreed the green caterpillar.
‘Difficult-I would say!’ said the white caterpillar. ‘Life is terribly difficult. We crawl on our bellies all day. My aunts and uncles have bumps all over their bodies. My grandmother has not been doing well. No...she hasn’t. A bumpy, hard crust has started to form around her, and she just hangs on the branch and won’t talk to anybody.’
The green caterpillar responded, ‘My wife has been a real sting-worm lately. She stung me twice this week. But the worst problem is the isolation-the little cocoons. Everyone keeps wrapping themselves in lumpy, bumpy cocoons. They can’t talk to each other, they don’t go outside. They just hang there. So you think we will be the same way?’
‘I’m sure of it,’ replied the white caterpillar. ‘Everyone follows the same path.’
‘There must be a reason for it,’ said the green caterpillar.
A butterfly that had been listening to the conversation lit upon the leaf from which the two caterpillars were drinking. The butterfly said, ‘Your destiny is greater than you think. Yes, you must enter the cocoon. Life may be different from what you think you wish it to be, but from the cocoon you will emerge a new creature. I was once in a cocoon. I once struggled just as you struggle.’
The caterpillars looked at the butterfly with amazement, ‘But, you...you are a winged creature.’
‘Yes, yes...I am a winged creature,’ said the butterfly, ‘but I once crawled just as you crawl. I once grew old, isolated myself, and wrapped myself in a cocoon and died. Then I came forth a new creature, resplendent and beautiful.’
The butterfly’s words gave the caterpillar hope, and they left rejoicing, for they believed they had a far greater destiny than they had perceived before.
You are like the caterpillars. Your families are like the caterpillar’s families. You and your families encounter many difficult and trying times. You isolate yourselves and wrap yourselves up in cocoons, engrossing yourselves in your lives. This creates trials and tests that bring spiritual development. From life you will expand to a greater destiny. You will become a divine being of light. Entering into your cocoon and aged worm, you will come forth a new creation-a butterfly of divine grace.
Families provide the challenges that assist the spirit in allowing this ultimate development.”
The Eternals spirit Speaks Magazine 1991
Regular Client Program
My Regular clients enjoy working with the many different types of oracles I work with for enlightenment. But a good portion of them work with me in the form of an enlightened counselor, and life coach. Discussing what you are going through or working on at each time is definitely healing but also allows added insight from my many years of navigational consultations and the wisdom of working with a very old soul!
One of the best programs I have been doing for 24 years now is my Regular client program. The program is designed to benefit my clients at multiple levels. Clients who enroll in the program come in every three months for personal sessions (monthly, or every other month sessions are also an option). This can also be done for out-of-area clients by phone. Session prices are discounted for Regular clients. The focus of the program is on consistent work in developing your intuitive abilities, learning how to navigate more effectively through life by using the signs and signals that are all around us, and conquering fear-based programming permanently. We also get to work with all the many different oracles I currently work with! My Regular client program has resulted in some tremendous spiritual evolution for hundreds of people over the years. Some of my Regulars have gone on to do spiritual counseling, or similar types of work and some are healing and guiding others personally and professionally. The progress I have seen over the years among the majority of my Regular clients has been phenomenal. It is wonderful to see the spiritual, physical, and emotional progress I have assisted in motivating. So many of my Regular clients have dramatically changed the way they now view life and are enjoying a more enlightened point of view. You too can join this program as well, just ask.
More about the Regular Client Program... This program was designed to create an easy, cost effective way for my clients to progress in their spiritual development.
When we are consistent at attending to our body/mind/spirit, we naturally move through life with more harmony and greater joy. When our spiritual awareness is heightened and fine tuned we are often happier which helps us to enjoy all aspects of our lives, including occasional personal challenges because we see them as inevitably beneficial. We can truly assist the people around us. Human beings learn by example. Your intimate partnerships, friendships, family, and children benefit when you are in a good space.
The Regular Client Program makes it easier to prioritize keeping your spiritual, emotional and even physical “garden” free of weeds. In China, the professional soothsayer is a reverent and dignified calling. It does not attract the sort of suspicion it does in the western world. In fact, in most eastern cultures, seeing an oracle reader is a sign of wisdom, success, and prestige. If you have an interest in increasing these attributes and working with a highly skilled navigational consultant then the Regular Client Program may be right for you.
“You know what the issue is with this world? Everyone wants a magical solution to their problems, and everyone refuses to believe in magic.” Alice in Wonderland
“Don’t go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Here’s my contact information to make an appointment for a session, or information on current classes: Email: Venturasag@yahoo.com (BEST method for contact).
text only: (602) 349-0746 Phone calls: (602) 957-3035
Information about the different sessions and types of readings, classes and services, past Snake Oil columns, and how to order my books and audio CD’s can be found at my website: http://JimVentura.com.
“Friend” me on Facebook to get other extra offers and in between column extras! Signing up for my fan page will get you even more extras and first shot at reading specials. Simply click on “like” on the fan page and you will automatically get my weekly updates.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jim-Ventura/110567902293371?ref=hl
I have a few other media channels other than my monthly radio shows and Face-Book:
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel (approximately once a month 6-12 minute videos) at J Ventura Snake Oil.
Instagram at Venturawords ( Astrology updates and other insight on short 90 second reels)
Tik Tok (animalspeaks) where I do short but powerful 2-6 minute videos about how to use animal totems and spirit animals!
All personal sessions/readings for 2023 and 2024 are: Full (70 minutes) $120.00; Shorter session (45 minutes) $90.00; Extended session (90 minutes) $145.00 (Two people can split an extended session back to back for $150.00 total although no other discounts will apply). Mini phone session 20 minutes $40. Email me for information about my Regular Client Program for even bigger discounts on session prices with the added benefit of monthly or quarterly check-ins. Purchasing 3 prepaid sessions also brings sizable discounts. Some examples; 3 prepaid 45 minute monthly sessions is $155 total or about $52 a session. 3 prepaid quarterly 70 minute session are $245 or about $82 a session.
